CN111889561A

CN111889561A - Fine blanking system and operation method thereof

Info

Publication number: CN111889561A
Application number: CN202010370547.6A
Authority: CN
Inventors: J·洛扎诺·波内特
Original assignee: Lapmaster Wolters GmbH
Current assignee: Lapmaster Wolters GmbH
Priority date: 2019-05-06
Filing date: 2020-05-06
Publication date: 2020-11-06
Anticipated expiration: 2040-05-06
Also published as: BR102020008814A8; EP3736061B1; US20200353528A1; EP3736061C0; US11779988B2; CN111889561B; CA3080350C; BR102020008814A2; MX2020003694A; EP3736061A1; CA3080350A1

Abstract

Fine blanking system comprising one or more movable parts, further comprising at least one first drive means of a first drive type and at least one second drive means of a second drive type different from the first drive type for driving at least one movable part, wherein the first drive means and the second drive means are arranged to drive the same movable part.

Description

Fine blanking system and operation method thereof

Technical Field

The present invention relates to a fine blanking system and a method for operating such a fine blanking system.

Background

Such fine blanking systems usually comprise at least one fine blanking press, which allows for blanking parts, for example, from sheet metal with high quality and with flexibility regarding the design of the parts. The fine blanking press generally comprises a press ram and a counter-unit, for example a table, arranged opposite the press ram. A blanking tool is arranged between the blanking ram and the table. The blanking tool may comprise, for example, one or more press plates or ejectors connected directly to the press pads of the press ram or of the work table, or to any other pads or actuators integrated inside the tool itself, by means of transmission pins, and may also comprise one or more press punches or press dies. In the fine blanking process step, the press ram is driven in a driving movement relative to the table, wherein the sheet metal to be processed is held between the press ram and the table. In the fine blanking process step, the press ram pushes the table in its working direction. During the fine-blanking process step, the press ram can be moved relative to the press plate or press punch, press die or otherwise. For example, the press punch can be moved relative to the press ram in order to punch the part from the work material. Typically, the blanking tool is provided with a striking device, such as a striking ring (e.g. a V-ring), for holding the work material firmly in place. The fine blanking process may also include progressive transfer, rotation, or other process steps in which the part is blanked and then subsequent movement of the press ram and table is performed. Fine blanking presses are known, for example, from EP 2158982 a1 or EP 3115191 a 1.

Also, such a fine blanking system may include one or more other components, such as, but not limited to, a feeding device, a cleaning device, a packaging device, and/or a quality inspection device. Such a feeding device may, for example, be arranged upstream of the fine blanking press with respect to the material feeding direction, and may feed the sheet metal to be processed into the fine blanking press for subsequent pressing. Such a cleaning device as well as a wrapping device and a quality inspection device may be arranged downstream of the fine blanking press with respect to the material feed direction and may provide cleaning, wrapping and quality inspection of the processed sheet metal.

The at least one fine blanking press and the one or more other components may comprise one or more movable components driven by one or more drive means. For the fine blanking press, for example, a press ram that applies a main blanking force on the sheet metal may be driven as a movable member by a hydraulic cylinder as a driving device. The press ram can drive other press units, such as pads, during its driving movement. The mat may also be provided with a hydraulic cylinder which can be actuated by movement of the press ram. In the known fine blanking press accumulators, there is provided, for example, a gas cylinder which is charged with, for example, nitrogen, wherein the actuation of the hydraulic cylinders of the pads compresses the gas in the accumulator during the driving movement of the press ram. In this way, part of the energy applied during fine blanking can be collected and used for the next press cycle. This makes the fine blanking press energy efficient. As regards said one or more other components, the feeding means may for example comprise one or more feeding rollers as movable components, which may be driven by e.g. an electric motor.

The fine blanking system may use different drive types of drive, such as electric and hydraulic drives, or the same drive type, such as electric only drives, to drive different movable parts of the system to achieve different functions, such as feeding and pressing. For example, the mechanical fine blanking press may comprise a press ram as the first movable part, which press ram is driven by an electric drive as the first drive. The electric drive may be connected to a crankshaft, which in turn may be connected to the press ram by one or more connecting rods. During fine blanking, the electric drive may drive the press ram up and down along the axis of motion at a controlled speed and force through the crankshaft and connecting rods to provide the blanking force required to process the sheet metal. The pad may be integrated into the press ram forming the second movable part, wherein the hydraulic drive as the second drive acts on the pad. The hydraulic drive may drive the pads up and down along the axis of motion to provide a reaction force, such as through a V-ring, to oppose the pressure applied by the electric drive via the ram and hold the sheet metal in place. Also, the hydraulic drive device may eject the processed sheet metal after the fine blanking step. Thus, at least two different types of drive means are used to achieve different functions. Instead of a mechanical fine blanking press, a hydraulic fine blanking press can be used, wherein instead of an electric drive, a hydraulic drive is used to drive the press ram. In this case, at least two drive devices of the same drive type are provided to achieve different functions.

Mechanical fine blanking presses are the fastest in terms of cycle number on the market and therefore the maximum number of parts to be blanked per unit time, but they can only provide a limited pressure, mainly due to the electric drive that drives the press ram. Mechanical fine blanking presses are mainly used for producing small and medium sized blanking pieces, since in this case high pressures are not required. On the other hand, the hydraulic fine blanking press can provide a greater pressure because of its hydraulic drive driving the press ram, which makes it suitable for use with blanking parts of all sizes. However, the production speed of such hydraulic presses is very limited due to the heavy design required for the hydraulic drive, in particular the hydraulic drive.

In recent years, a new concept of fine blanking press, i.e. servo press, has emerged, wherein at least one actuator is powered by a servo motor. Thus, at least one movable part (e.g. a press ram) is driven by a servomotor drive. However, even these servo presses (a specific type of mechanical fine blanking press driven by an electric drive) do not meet the market demands on production speed and blanking force.

Disclosure of Invention

Starting from the above prior art, it is an object of the present invention to provide a fine blanking system and a method of operating the same which allow high production speeds and high forces.

The invention solves the above object on the basis of independent claims 1 and 12. Embodiments of the invention can be found in the dependent claims, the description and the drawings.

The fine blanking system according to the invention comprises one or more movable parts, at least one first drive means of a first drive type and at least one second drive means of a second drive type different from the first drive type for driving the at least one movable part, wherein the first drive means and the second drive means are arranged to drive the same movable part.

The method according to the invention for operating a fine blanking system comprising one or more movable parts comprises the following steps:

driving the at least one movable part by at least one first drive means of a first drive type, and

the same movable part is driven by at least one second drive means of a second drive type different from the first drive type.

The invention and the embodiments of the invention explained in the following relate to the inventive fine blanking system and the inventive method.

According to the invention, a plurality of drive means of different drive types drive the same movable part. For example, the fine blanking system may comprise two, three or any greater number of drives. Of these drive means, at least two are of different drive types and are arranged to drive the same movable part. Also, three or more, or in particular all, of the drive means of the fine blanking system may be of different types and/or may drive the same movable part. In addition to at least two drive means of different drive types, further drive means of the same or different drive types may be provided which drive the same movable part or different movable parts. The drive type relates in particular to the energy transfer technology. Thus, the energy transfer technology of the drive means may vary. Such techniques may be, for example, electrical, mechanical, hydraulic or pneumatic energy transfer. The at least one first drive device may be, for example, an electric drive device, and the at least one second drive device may be, for example, a hydraulic drive device. According to an embodiment, the first drive type and/or the second drive type is selected from the group comprising, but not limited to: electric drive, magnetic drive, hydraulic drive, mechanical drive, pneumatic drive. Thus, the at least two drive means of different drive types may be selected from the group, respectively. As mentioned above, one or more additional drive means, each selected from the group, may be provided to drive the same or different components. However, different drive types may also use the same energy transmission technology, but may differ in the movement principle of the individual drives. The movement principle may be, for example, a linear movement or a rotational movement. For example, both of the at least two drives can be electric drives, wherein one drive is a rotary motor drive, in particular a servomotor drive, and the other drive is a linear drive. The electrical energy will then be converted into linear motion or rotational motion, respectively.

The at least two driving means of different driving types are arranged to drive the same movable part. In particular, each drive means acts directly on the same movable part not via one of the other drive means. The at least one first drive means and the at least one second drive means may be arranged to drive the same movable part independently of each other. However, the drive means may alternatively be coordinated or synchronized in some way to produce in particular a smooth movement. Furthermore, the at least two drive means of different drive types may be arranged to drive the same movable part independently. For example, in the first movement step, only the first drive means can actively drive the movable part, while the second drive means is on standby. Subsequently, for example, during a second movement step in which the first drive means is on standby, only the second drive means can operatively drive the movable part. However, the at least one first drive means and the at least one second drive means may jointly drive the same movable part simultaneously. Thus, the method steps of the method of the invention may be performed sequentially or in parallel. In particular, the same movable part may be driven separately and/or jointly via the at least one first drive means and via the at least one second drive means.

Providing multiple drive means of different drive types to drive the same movable part allows for an efficient combination of different drive types. Each of the different types of drive means can exert its advantages, thereby achieving high production speeds and high pressures. The proposed fine blanking system is thus able to meet market demands with regard to production speed and blanking force. This will be explained in more detail below with respect to the fine blanking press. However, the present invention is not limited to the fine blanking machine, but may also relate to other components of the fine blanking system.

The fine blanking system may particularly comprise at least one fine blanking press, wherein the at least one movable part is part of the at least one fine blanking press. The fine blanking press may comprise at least one first press unit as movable part, and at least one second press unit, wherein the at least one first drive is a first press drive and the at least one second drive is a second press drive for driving the at least one first press unit in a driving movement relative to the at least one second press unit along the movement axis. The at least one fine blanking press may comprise one or more first press units (e.g. one or more press rams, one or more press pads and/or one or more shredding units and/or others) and one or more second press units (e.g. one or more press counterrams, one or more work stations, one or more press pads and/or one or more press plates and/or others.

The first press unit may perform different movements, such as a first quick approach movement, a second blanking or cutting movement and a third return movement. For example, additional motions with different motion speeds may be introduced between the illustrated motions. The work material can be clamped by means of a fine blanking tool arranged, for example, between the press ram and a work table opposite the press ram. The fine blanking tool is used to blank parts from the work material fed to the work area between the press ram and the table and may include one or more press punches, dies or other components. For example, in a press, two or more pads may be arranged opposite each other. One of the pads may include an impact device, such as an impact ring (e.g., a V-ring, i.e., a V-ring), for securely holding the work material during the blanking process. A press punch movable relative to the pad may be provided to blank a part from the work material. A feed device may be provided as part of the fine blanking system, which feeds the work material to be worked into the working area between the press ram and the table. The work material is typically sheet metal. It may be a winding unwound from a reel and fed flat to a processing area where it is blanked by a blanking tool.

The at least one fine blanking press may for example comprise a press ram as the first movable part, an electric drive as the first drive and a hydraulic drive as the second drive, wherein the press ram is driven not only by the electric drive but also by the hydraulic drive. For example, an electric drive may drive the press ram up and down at a relatively high speed but with relatively little force along a first portion of the axis of motion to approach the sheet metal, while a hydraulic drive may drive the press ram up and down at a relatively low speed but with relatively high force along a second portion of the axis of motion to blank the sheet metal, for example. Thus, the at least two drive means of different types fulfil the same function: they drive/move the press ram. In this way, the press ram can be moved quickly and efficiently by the electric drive when no large forces are required, while the press ram can be driven with high forces when the pressing step is performed. In this way, the system and method of the invention allow a combination of the advantages of the mechanical and hydraulic fine blanking machines explained in the introduction. High production speeds and high pressures can be achieved.

Since different drive types of drive means are used to drive the same moving part, it can be said that a "hybrid actuator". The fine blanking system may thus be understood as a "hybrid system". In particular, the at least one fine blanking press may be considered as a "hybrid press" in that it comprises at least one hybrid actuator. As mentioned above, thanks to the hybrid actuator, the hybrid press is able to meet market demands regarding production speed and blanking force.

According to one embodiment, the at least one first drive means is arranged to drive the at least one movable component at a first speed, a first acceleration and/or a first force, and the at least one second drive means is arranged to drive the at least one movable component at a second speed, a second acceleration and/or a second force, wherein the first speed, first acceleration and/or first force is different from the second speed, second acceleration and/or second force. In particular, the second velocity, second acceleration and/or second force may be less than the first velocity, first acceleration and/or first force. As mentioned above, the pressing step may be performed by a hydraulic drive moving the press ram at a lower speed but with a greater force, for example, while the press ram may be driven at a higher speed towards the sheet metal by an electric drive.

According to an embodiment, and as mentioned above, the fine blanking system comprises at least one fine blanking press, wherein the at least one fine blanking press comprises at least one first press unit as movable part, and further comprises at least one second press unit, wherein the at least one first drive is a first press drive and the at least one second drive is a second press drive for driving the at least one first press unit in a driving movement along a movement axis relative to the at least one second press unit. According to another embodiment, the first press drive is arranged to drive the at least one first press unit along a first portion of the movement axis in order to bring the at least one first press unit close to the at least one second press unit, and wherein the second press drive is arranged to drive the at least one first press unit along a second portion of the movement axis subsequent to the first portion in order to fine-punch the workpiece arranged between the at least one first press unit and the at least one second press unit. According to another embodiment, the first press drive is further arranged to drive the at least one first press unit in an opposite direction along the first and/or second part of the movement axis in order to retract the at least one first press unit from the at least one second press unit. According to another embodiment, said first press drive is an electric drive, in particular but not exclusively a linear electric drive or a servomotor drive, and the second press drive is a hydraulic drive. According to another embodiment, the at least one first press unit and/or the at least one second press unit is selected from the group comprising, but not limited to: press ram, table, press pad, press plate, and/or shredding unit. As mentioned above, the at least one first press unit may be a press ram which is moved along a first portion of the movement axis by an electric drive as a first drive to access the at least one second press unit, which may be a table holding the sheet metal, wherein a hydraulic drive may be provided as a second press drive to drive the press ram along a second portion of the movement axis subsequent to the first portion, such that the press ram fine-punches the work piece arranged between the press ram and the table.

According to one embodiment, the other components of the fine blanking system are selected from the group including, but not limited to: a feeding device, a leveling device, a grinding device, a surface treatment device, a press device, a fine blanking press, a part feeding device, a deburring device, a cleaning device, a rolling device, an assembly device, a robot device, a handling device, a packaging device, a labeling device, and/or a quality inspection device. As described above, the present invention is not limited to the fine blanking machine, but can be applied to the other components of the fine blanking system.

According to one embodiment, the at least one first drive means and the at least one second drive means are arranged to drive the same movable part independently of each other. According to one embodiment, the at least one first drive means and the at least one second drive means are arranged to drive the same movable part separately and/or jointly. As already mentioned, at least the two drive means of different drive types may drive the same movable part separately from each other, in particular continuously. As mentioned before, the movable parts may also be driven in combination. In both cases, the movable parts can be driven independently by the drive means. However, the drive means may also drive the movable parts in relation to each other, in particular they may be synchronized. In particular, with respect to the exemplary embodiments described in detail above, the press ram of the fine blanking press can be moved along the movement axis not only successively but also jointly by the electric drive and the hydraulic drive. For example, the hydraulic drive may be supported by the electric drive while driving the press ram along the second portion of the axis of motion, and thus during the fine blanking step.

The method of the present invention can be implemented using the fine blanking system of the present invention. Accordingly, the fine blanking system of the invention, in particular the fine blanking press, may be designed to perform the method of the invention, in particular the above-described embodiments.

Drawings

Embodiments of the present invention are explained below with reference to schematic drawings.

Fig. 1 shows the fine blanking press of the invention of the fine blanking system of the invention.

Detailed Description

The fine blanking press according to the present invention shown in fig. 1 comprises: a press frame 11; a press ram (ram)10 constituting a first press unit; and a table 12 constituting a second press unit, arranged opposite the press ram 10. Between the press ram 10 and the work table 12, a fine blanking tool 14 is arranged, which comprises: a press punch 16 positionable to be secured with the table 12; and a die 18 that moves with the press ram 10. Table pad 20 is connected to table 12 by a transmission pin 22. The table pad 20 and thus the table 12 are actuated by a hydraulic drive arranged in the upper part of the press frame 11. An electric drive 24, in particular a servomotor, is provided as a first press drive and acts on the press ram via a transmission 26 to drive the press ram 10 along the axis of movement M. Furthermore, a hydraulic drive 28 is provided in the lower part of the press frame 11, which acts on the press ram 10 via a piston rod 30 for driving the press ram 10 along the movement axis M.

During the fine blanking process, the press ram 10 moves up and down along the axis of motion M. In a first movement step, the press ram 10 is driven by the electric drive 24 along a first portion of the movement axis M at a higher speed but with a lower force. In this manner, the press ram 10 approaches the sheet metal 32 disposed in the processing region between the press ram 10 and the table 12. In the second movement step, a second portion of the press ram 10 following the first portion along the movement axis M is driven at a relatively low speed but with a relatively high force via the hydraulic drive 28. During this movement, the punch 16 and die 18 punch the part out of the sheet metal 32.

Also schematically shown is an impact ring 34, similar to a V-ring, for securely holding the work material 32 during fine blanking. The impact ring 34 may be provided in particular on a press plate of a blanking tool driven by the pad 20. In moving the press ram 10, the table pad 20 may also be moved downward along the movement axis M in order to exert a counter pressure on the sheet metal 32 by the impact ring 34 to counter the pressure exerted by the electric drive through the press ram 10 and to hold the sheet metal 32 in place. Also, the table pad 20 may eject the processed sheet metal after the fine blanking step.

After the parts have been blanked out, the press ram 10 is withdrawn from the table 12 again at a relatively high speed and relatively low force along the entire movement axis M, i.e. along the first and second portions, by means of the electric drive 24.

The press ram is thus driven by two independent drives of different drive types, one being electric and the other hydraulic. As mentioned above, the electric drive and the hydraulic drive are arranged to drive the press ram separately or independently of each other. However, these drive means may also be arranged to move the press ram jointly. For example, the press ram can be driven toward the work table, i.e. perform a punching operation, not only by the hydraulic drive but also by the electric drive along the second part of the axis of movement. Thus, the electric drive may support a punching operation.

The fine blanking system of the present invention combines the advantages of a hydraulic drive and an electric drive for a fine blanking press. When only a small force is required (i.e. when approaching the table/sheet metal part) the press ram can be moved quickly and efficiently by the electric drive, whereas by the hydraulic drive the press ram can be moved with a larger force to perform the punching operation. After the punching, the press ram can be driven again by the electric drive, so that it can be retracted quickly and efficiently.

List of reference numerals

10 press head

12 working table

14 fine blanking tool

16 press punch

18 mould

20 working table pad

22 transfer pin

24 electric drive

26 drive device

28 Hydraulic drive device

30 piston rod

32 sheet metal

34V-shaped ring

Axis of motion of M

Claims

1. Fine blanking system comprising one or more movable parts (10), further comprising at least one first drive means (24) of a first drive type and at least one second drive means (28) of a second drive type different from the first drive type for driving at least one of the movable parts (10), wherein the first drive means (24) and the second drive means (28) are arranged to drive the same movable part (10).

2. Fine blanking system according to claim 1, characterized in that the fine blanking system comprises at least one fine blanking press and/or one or more further parts, wherein the at least one movable part (10) is part of the at least one fine blanking press or part of one of the further parts.

3. A fine blanking system according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the first drive type and/or the second drive type is selected from the group comprising, but not limited to: electric drive, magnetic drive, hydraulic drive, mechanical drive, pneumatic drive.

4. Fine blanking system according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the at least one first drive means (24) is arranged to drive the at least one movable part at a first speed, a first acceleration and/or a first force, and the at least one second drive means (28) is arranged to drive the same movable part at a second speed, a second acceleration and/or a second force, wherein the first speed, first acceleration and/or first force is different from the second speed, second acceleration and/or second force.

5. Fine blanking system according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the fine blanking system comprises at least one fine blanking press, wherein the at least one fine blanking press comprises at least one first press unit (10) as movable part, and further comprises at least one second press unit (12), wherein the at least one first drive is a first press drive (24) and the at least one second drive is a second press drive (28) for driving the at least one first press unit (10) in a driving movement relative to the at least one second press unit (12) along a movement axis (M).

6. Fine blanking system according to claim 5, wherein the first press drive (24) is arranged to drive the at least one first press unit (10) along a first part of the movement axis (M) for bringing the at least one first press unit (10) close to the at least one second press unit (12), and wherein the second press drive (28) is arranged to drive the at least one first press unit (10) along a second part of the movement axis (M) subsequent to the first part for fine blanking the workpiece (32) arranged between the at least one first press unit (10) and the at least one second press unit (12).

7. Fine blanking system according to claim 6, wherein the first press drive (24) is further arranged to drive the at least one first press unit (10) in an opposite direction along the first and/or second part of the movement axis (M) to retract the at least one first press unit (10) from the at least one second press unit (12).

8. Fine blanking system according to one of the claims 5 to 7, characterized in that said at least one first press unit (10) and/or said at least one second press unit (12) are selected from the group comprising, but not limited to: press ram, table, press pad, press plate, and/or shredding device.

9. Fine blanking system according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that said further components of the fine blanking system are selected from the group comprising, but not limited to: a feeding device, a leveling device, a grinding device, a surface treatment device, a press device, a fine blanking press, a part feeding device, a deburring device, a cleaning device, a rolling device, an assembly device, a robot device, a handling device, a packaging device, a labeling device, and/or a quality inspection device.

10. Fine blanking system according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that said first driving means (24) and said second driving means (28) are arranged to drive the same movable part (10) independently of each other.

11. Fine blanking system according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that said first drive means (24) and said second drive means (28) are arranged to drive the same movable part (10) separately and/or jointly from each other.

12. Method for operating a fine blanking system comprising one or more movable parts, the method comprising the steps of:

a. driving the at least one movable part (10) by at least one first drive means (24) of a first drive type, and

b. the same movable part (10) is driven by at least one second drive means (28) of a second drive type different from the first drive type.

13. Method according to claim 12, characterized in that the at least one movable part (10) is driven by the first driving means (24) at a first speed, a first acceleration and/or a first force and the same movable part (10) is driven by the second driving means (28) at a second speed, a second acceleration and/or a second force, wherein the first speed, first acceleration and/or first force is different from the second speed, second acceleration and/or second force.

14. Method according to claim 12 or 13, characterized in that the fine blanking system comprises at least one fine blanking press, wherein the at least one fine blanking press comprises at least one first press unit (10) as a movable part, and further comprises at least one second press unit (12), wherein the at least one first drive is a first press drive (24) and the at least one second drive is a second press drive (28) for driving the at least one first press unit (10) in a driving movement relative to the at least one second press unit (12) along a movement axis (M), wherein the steps of the method are characterized in that a first part along the movement axis (M) drives the at least one first press unit (10) towards the at least one second press unit (12) by means of the first press drive (24), to approach said at least one second press unit (12) and to drive said at least one first press unit (10) towards said at least one second press unit (12) along a second portion of said movement axis (M) subsequent to said first portion by means of said second press drive means (28) to fine-punch a workpiece (32) arranged between said at least one first press unit (10) and said at least one second press unit (12).

15. Method according to claim 14, characterized in that the at least one first press unit (10) is driven in the opposite direction along the first and/or second part of the movement axis (M) via the first press drive (24) to retract the at least one first press unit (10) from the at least one second press unit (12).